Effects of CeO2 on friction and wear characteristics of Fe–Ni–Cr alloy coatings

The effects of rare earth oxide CeO2 on the microstructure and wear resistance of thermal sprayed Fe–Ni–Cr alloy coatings were investigated. The powders of Fe–Ni–Cr alloy with the addition of CeO2 were flame sprayed on to a 1045 carbon steel substrate. The coatings were examined and tested for microstructure feature, compositions, and phase structure. Tribological properties of coatings were tested under reciprocating sliding test. The results were compared with those for coatings of the alloy without CeO2. The comparison indicated that the addition of rare earth oxide CeO2 could refine and purify the microstructure of coatings, and increase the microhardness of the coatings. As a result, by CeO2 addition, the friction coefficient of the coatings was decreased slightly and the wear resistance of the coatings was enhanced significantly.